Chapter 25: 25
Because she had been tossed about by her family and her husband, Dorothy did not want to leave the place she had claimed for herself.
Eugene was satisfied that Dorothy herself had chosen to continue working at the Imperial Palace of her own will.
Thinking back, Aurelia had married Eugene as the result of her selfish wish to remain in Belindaâs homeland.
Dorothy had begun working at the Imperial Palace in search of a place where she belonged.
Both Aurelia and Dorothy had started from a point where their own wishes had been disregarded.
And yet now, they had chosen this place of their own volition.
That was what made Eugene happy.
“Oh, right.”
“This doesnât have much to do with you, Dorothy, but Belinda of the Kingdom of Lind, who is believed to be acting together with them, is still missing.”
“Princess Belinda?”
“Eugene-sama, is Princess Belindaâs life safe?”
When Aurelia asked worriedly, Eugene made an expression that clearly showed his displeasure.
In official settings it would be different, but here there was only his wife and those he saw almost every day, so no one commented even if Eugene looked irritated.
“Who knows.”
“We donât even know whether she crossed the border or not.”
“Aurelia, even if something happens and Belinda loses her life, that would be entirely her own doing.”
“Donât concern yourself with it.”
“Yes.”
“But still, for someone we know to end up like that is⌔
“Aurelia, youâre too kind.”
“That woman tried to use you however it suited her.”
She was a woman who stole Aureliaâs fiancĂŠ because she didnât want to marry into the Empire, then suggested that everything could go back to the way it was once Aurelia became Empress.
No one knew how spoiled she had been by her father the king, but if she truly believed everything would go her way, then this was a good chance for her to learn otherwise.
Even if the price was her own life.
“I donât think sheâll do anything to you, Dorothy, but be careful for a while.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I wonât leave the Imperial Palace for the time being.”
Rather than that, there was nowhere she particularly wanted to go.
Daily necessities could be bought from merchants who came into the palace, and since Dorothy lived there, all her needs were met within the palace grounds.
If she were to go somewhere, it would probably be for travel or a festival.
But she wasnât in the mood for that right now.
She still did embroidery, but Frederica brought her the cloth and thread, and Frederica also took the finished pieces outside.
Thinking about it that way, she felt she was rather dull.
More than that, she realized she probably wouldnât have managed without Frederica in many ways.
“Staying inside the palace all the time will feel stifling.”
“You should go out occasionally.”
“And when you do, take Noah with you.”
“Yes, Dorothy.”
“I want you to tell me what the outside looks like through your eyes.”
Even though the Emperor and Empress were the ones who were likely more confined within the palace, they said this with gentle smiles.
They had been surrounded by many people since birth, so perhaps they were used to it, but even so, Dorothy felt renewed respect for them.
“Will I be able to explain things well enough for you, Lady Aurelia?”
She wasnât good with words and lacked confidence in conveying what she saw clearly.
That was something Leticia was much better at.
“Hehe, thatâs fine.”
“You donât need to explain it so well.”
“That way, when I see it myself someday, it will feel like checking the answers, which sounds fun.”
“I see, thatâs one way to enjoy it.”
“If what I imagined from hearing about it is completely different, that would be interesting too.”
“Yes.”
“I donât know when that will be, but it will become one of my future pleasures.”
“If Dorothy tells me about a place she wants to visit, let me know immediately.”
“Iâll force a tour inspection into the schedule.”
“Your Majesty, please donât force it in so suddenly.”
“Itâs hard on your subordinates.”
“Weâll adjust the schedule somehow.”
Though it had been Dorothyâs topic, Eugene had smoothly tried to turn it into a trip under the guise of an inspection with Aurelia, only to be stopped by Noah, the assistant to the Chancellor.
“So I need to give an explanation that stimulates Lady Aureliaâs imagination⌔
“By the way, Dorothy-dono, how about drawing pictures?”
“I can do a little.”
“Oh no, Dorothy, drawings wonât do.”
“Donât take away the fun before seeing it.”
Noah had tried to help by suggesting she draw, but Aurelia neatly shut him down.
“Understood.”
“Iâll do my best.”
Even so, she thought it might be better to practice explaining to someone else before explaining things to Aurelia.
“Um, Noah-sama.”
“Hm?”
“Would you be willing to be my practice audience for explanations?”
If she couldnât explain things in a way Noah understood, she surely wouldnât be able to explain them well to Aurelia, so Dorothy made the request.
“Sure.”
“But the scenery Dorothy-dono sees will be something I see together with you.”
“Eh?”
“Didnât His Majesty just say it?”
“When you go outside, youâre to take me with you.”
“…Eh?”
Had he said that?
Now that she thought about it, he might have mentioned it casually.
She had been so focused on needing to explain things to Aurelia that she had forgotten what was said before that.
“…Weâll be seeing the same things?”
“Thatâs right.”
“…Together?”
“Thatâs how itâll be.”
Was that really appropriate for a noblewoman right after a divorce?
Wouldnât strange rumors arise?
“Dorothy-dono, inside the palace there are always eyes on us, and we both have work.”
“Once in a while, letâs go on a date outside.”
“A date?”
“Yes.”
“So we can get to know each other better.”
“Could it be that youâve forgotten I confessed to you?”
Because Dorothy had been so caught up trying to process the word date, Noahâs words made her face instantly flush red.
“Ah, um, well, ah⌔
When a man and woman whose feelings were mutual went out together, that was indeed called a date.
Since Dorothy was still holding back her answer, perhaps it wasnât exactly that, but going out together with Noah would certainly be a date.
“A date, huh.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Aurelia, I canât leave the palace, but later letâs go on a date in the inner garden.”
“Oh my, Eugene-sama, Iâd be delighted.”
Without paying any attention to Dorothyâs flustered state, the Emperor and Empress entered their own world.
Accustomed to always being watched, they didnât falter at all even with Noah and Dorothy present as they created a sweet atmosphere.
“…Noah-sama, Iâm sorry, but I canât be quite like that.”
“As a subject, itâs pleasing to see Their Majesties get along so well.”
“Well, weâll move forward in our own way.”
“Y-yes.”
When Dorothy vaguely said she couldnât be like the imperial couple, Noah replied with a wry smile.
Even if they became lovers, she couldnât be like Aurelia.
It seemed Noah had accurately sensed that feeling.
“We donât have to be like others.”
“We can go at our own pace.”
“…Thatâs true.”
Not Noahâs pace, and not Dorothyâs pace, but their pace together.
Respecting both their wills and not letting it become one-sided.
Her answer was still pending, and she fully intended to focus on her work for now, but before she realized it, Dorothy had begun thinking about being together with Noah.